QuestionDear Expert,
My wife has been suffering from a lower back pain for many years. It is getting worse to the point that the pain almost never stops. She tried massages, physical therapy, stretches, etc. According to X-rays and MRI, she has two degenerative discs (I believe L-3,4). Her neurosurgeon suggested to either live with it, or consider a fusion surgery.
She is having a typical bad pain episode now. The problem is that we are going on vacation in 10 days and she is trying to get at least a temporary relief. I searched on TENS units and it sounds interesting. I was thinking of using it on vacation, almost having it placed at all times and using as needed during the day. My question is:
-we can buy it either online or in a med. supply store. Do we necessarily have to get a doctor assisting with the setup or we can take a chance and experiment with it? We may not have time or appointments available before vacation;
-any specific brand or specs to look for?
-any other ideas for a quick abortive relief?
Thanks for the help.
AnswerLow back pain, nonsurgical spinal decompression, TENS, spinal mua, spinal manipulation under anesthesia
Alex,
I am sorry to hear of your spouse's condition.
Degenerative discs often respond to conservative chiropractic care. Since this has failed, has your Doctor of Chiropractic discussed different techniques- such as the 'Cox Flexion- Distraction' (http://www.chiromanis.com/) technique- excellent for disc degeneration, disc herniation? Has your doctor discussed nonsurgical spinal decompression techniques (http://www.americanspinal.com/ )?
If your family chiropractor does not offer these techniques at his(her) office, ask for referral to another local doctor that does.
These (above) techniques not only offer fairly quick relief from pain (give a regimen of care over 4- 5- 6 weeks, similar to PT), but have long lasting permanent changes and relief as well.
Before resorting to any type of invasive surgery I would also recommend evaluation for a Chiropractic Spinal MUA (manipulation under anesthesia). Spinal MUA has been around since the 1930's and is a WONDERFUL technique for appropriate candidates with (http://www.muaonline.com/pages/mua_phys_corn_national_namua.htm) back/ neck pain.
My Staten Island Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression patients get excellent results with their lower back pain. I would recommend this approach, or the Cox Flexion- Distraction. Ask your DC about these.
IF these fail then I would look for a chiropractic doctor certified in spinal MUA.
Some information I give as a handout to my Staten Island Back PAin patients:
Degenerative Disk Disease
( DDD, DJD, OA )
Degenerative Disc, Degenerative Joint Disease, progressive OsteoArthritic Degeneration
Degenerative Disc Disease (old term = DJD) is actually a quite common condition. However, the course of the condition is highly variable. Some patients with DJD literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar X-ray/ MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.
Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow: Ice the area when painful- 10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off; avoid certain postures and movements; bend the knees when coughing or sneezing; bend the knees when lifting anything; do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving. Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition. Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful.
Degenerative disk disease, degenerative joint disease, deteriorating discs (disk) is/ are often caused by, or often concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of joints, and can cause osteo-arthritic degeneration, Degenerative Disk Disease, degenerative joint disease, etc.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
Subluxation is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, Disk Degeneration, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
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You are wise to be looking into alternatives for your wife's treatment, medications can have side effects; and some commonly used medications for degenerative discs actually WORSEN the condition!
( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 )
Here is another information handout I utilize:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation? )
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
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A 'TENS' (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit may be helpful to lessen the pain for your wife. The bad thing about a TENS unit is that, similar to the medications mentioned above- it may kill the pain; but it does not get to the cause of the problem.
(http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/240/main.html)
I would not feel comfortable recommending a specific company or specific TENS unit on the internet. Depending upon the company, depending upon your state laws- you may or may not be able to buy a TENS unit directly. IF you go to your DC, he(she) should be able to provide you with one for less then $75 for an inexpensive unit.
I would look for a unit with two separate channels (therefore- two separate control systems), giving you four (4) pads for treatment. With TENS you usually place the pads right over the painful area- or very close by.
With a TENS unit you should have additional electrode pads available, and additional batteries. Setting it up on the patient is not difficult- your doctor can show you how, and most units come with some directions. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tens+therapy&btnG=Search - shows TENS units from about $30.oo and up. Again, 2 circuits, 4 pads, additional pads and batteries.
TENS can block the pain in some people, but it does not alter the cause of the problem.
TENS can occasionally (rarely) cause a burn over the pad placement site (but usually only with an old or defective pad, and this 'side effect' is rare).
TENS units can be almost as small as a beeper pager.
TENS units do not go into water (if you are planning a beach vacation).
I hope this helps.
Thank you for your question.
If you wish to ask further information- you can REcontact me here at:
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
I wish you and your wife good luck and good health naturally,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (Email NewsLetter)
